Many homeowners are now planning home and bath remodeling projects around their long-term future. More people are opting to age in place, remaining independent in their home and lifestyle throughout their senior years. Common upgrades now include ways to make your bathroom senior safe, and we’ve got some tips from SeniorHomes.com!

Consider Converting

With declining mobility, bathtubs can be difficult for seniors to get in and out of safely. Consider converting to a no-threshold shower instead.

For showers, the best choice is a roll-in shower that allows someone in a wheelchair to get into the shower without getting out of their chair. A shower seat is also a good option.

Provide Support

Bathroom accidents are high among seniors because of the many wet, slippery surfaces. Grab bars are absolutely necessary for aging at home.

Install a bar vertically near the entrance to the tub for support getting in and out of the tub or shower.

Add grab bars along the back and side walls to provide support while the person is standing on the wet surfaces.

Do not rely on a towel bar to hold in an emergency. It won’t. Although there are stylish grab bars which double as towels bars that you could use for dual purpose.

Think About Fixtures

A hand-held shower head offers the most flexibility and the ability to shower while seated. And change out all rounded knobs. Lever-shaped sink and bathtub handles are easier for people with reduced mobility to grasp and use.

Replace a standard faucet with one that has an anti-scald valve. These maintain the temperature of the water when the water pressure changes, preventing the user from getting burned…

Store Safely

Rethink your storage system, with an eye toward keeping the things you need most at a reachable height. And minimize the amount of unnecessary risk around wet surfaces.

Plan for accessible shower or tub shelf storage so that shampoo and soap are within easy reach.

With prior planning, aging in place is a safe and popular option for seniors. Do you have any tips or advice on making the bathroom safe and efficient? Let us know in the comments!

At one time, bathrooms were much smaller and more… well… utilitarian. The name “water closet” pretty much let you know you were heading into a tiny room with a specific purpose, and not to expect much.

With changes in design and technology, not to mention homeowner mindset, the once humble bathroom has now become one of the three most remodeled rooms in the modern home. Construction Dive breaks down what’s different today, and why bathroom remodels have gone from basic to custom jobs.

Bathrooms are taking on new importance in the home, regardless of their number or size, and each can be designed to shine.

According to the Census Bureau, 48 percent of all remodeling jobs last year focused on the bathroom! And people are investing more heavily into those renovations. The average range for a bathroom remodel is between $5,564 and $13,219, with the average cost at $9,381.

The guest or other bathroom is slightly more likely to be remodeled first. Many homeowners tend to leave the master bath until last because it is most often only seen by people living in the home.

Kids’ bathrooms are less likely to be juvenile in design these days, with more people opting for a room that will grow with their children. With modern, neutral elements making the room timeless, the only changes required as children age would be painting or updated accessories.

Likewise, homeowners are learning to anticipate their requirements if they plan to age-in-place.

One example of a popular trend that can also accommodate a wheelchair or walker later on is eliminating the shower dam to offer unobstructed passage between the bathroom floor and shower floor…

Grab bars that double as towel holders and shower seats are also good options to age-proof the bathroom.

And for those wondering what happened to the Jack-and-Jill bathrooms of decades past, Bishop said today’s remodelers often choose to close off one door or even separate the area into two distinct bathrooms, if the space is large enough.

What new bathroom design trends have you noticed or become interested in? Let us know in the comments!